Thingamabob?

Dear Dr English,

I heard the word ÒthingamabobÓ from a song; correct me if I spell it incorrectly, and I would like to know its meaning. Is it a polite word? And if it is, how I should use it?
Many thanks

Patarawadee Thiangtham

Sometimes during a conversation we cannot think of the proper word or name of something, so we call it ÒthingamabobÓ. And, when people just cannot be bothered to use a proper word for something, they will call it ÒthingamabobÓ, too. You may also hear Òthingummy(ies), thingummyjigÓ or ÒwhatshamecallitÓ. These words are not impolite but certainly used in informal situations.

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Peanuts?

Dear Dr English

One of my friends said something about Ògetting peanutsÓ but I donÕt think she was talking about food. Do I have to be angry with her because she made a dirty joke or what does ÒpeanutsÓ refer to?

Sumalee Atthanothaikul

When somebody gets peanuts, they get only little money or less money than one would expect them to get.
I wonÕt apply for a job at ABC Company; they pay peanuts compared with what I can get anywhere else.
Strongly connected to this is the expression, ÒYou pay peanuts, you get monkeysÓ, meaning, if somebody pays low wages (peanuts) they can only expect to get people who are not very good at their job (monkeys).
Nobody over at BCD Company seems to know what they are doing, but IÕm not too surprised; I know the salaries they pay. You pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
On the other hand, if something costs Òan arm and a legÓ it is very expensive.
I donÕt think we can go to the ballet; the tickets are an arm and a leg.
If a price has gone Òthrough the roofÓ, it has increased very much.
I know I promised you a gold necklace for your birthday but IÕm afraid I canÕt afford one. The price of gold has gone through the roof.

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What is a ÒcowboyÓ?

Dear Dr English

My new farang boss called me a ÒcowboyÓ. I like cowboy movies and I am a great fan of John Wayne but somehow I have the feeling it was not meant to be a compliment.

Sommai Oonlamai

Your feeling is right; being called a ÒcowboyÓ is not a compliment. A cowboy is a person who is not competent in their job and does not know enough to produce good or even satisfactory work.
You call this cleaning a car? There are scratches all over the paintwork, you cowboy.

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